Taranaki Herald. (DAILY EVENING.) THURSDAY,, DECEMBER 14, 1911. THE DELHI DURBAR.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143670, 14 December 1911, Page 2

Taranaki Herald. (DAILY EVENING.) THURSDAY,, DECEMBER 14, 1911. THE DELHI DURBAR.

The Coronation Durbar now being hold at Delhi is opc of tho most important events over recorded in the history of our Indian Empire. On the some snot where Queen Victoria, on January 1, 18TT, was proclaimed Empress of India, where King Er: ward’s coronation was proclaim-: d on January 1,190 ft, King the Fifth's coronation was proclaimed on Tuesday last, with this difference, that on this occasion the King-Emperor was present in person to receive the homage of his Indian subjects. Though the value of ceremonial is recognised even in such a democratic country as Xew Zealand, it is difficult to conceive what effect such a gathering as that at Delhi on Tuesday must have on the native mind. There the representatives of some three hundred millions of people were met together, animated by the one feeling of devotion to the Sovereign whose Government has given freedom, immunity from oppression, and the blessings of peace. India is a difficult country to rule, but the representatives sent by the Home Government to rule it in the name of tho Sovereign have been statesmen in every sense of the word, and they have had under them officials whose sole aim has been to deal fairly by the native races. There have been anxious times, when fhe loyalty of sections of the people was strained, but humane, enlightened, and firm government has triumphed, and the presence in person of his Majesty at Delhi will undoubtedly have the effect of strengthening the loyalty ol the people as a whole. But apart from the spectacular side of tho ceremony two very important announcements weye made by his Majesty, which will make the occasion stand out ns a red letter day in the minds of a vast number of his Indian subjects. The transference of the seat, of Government from Calcutta to the ancient capital of Delhi is a masterpiece of statesmanship and diplomacy, and its dramatic announcement was well calculated to impress the people. It may not please Calcutta, but Calcutta is not India. Of almost equal importance was the announcement of the establishment of a Governorship for Bengal, thus setting at rest a question which has caused much debate and discontent. Lord Curzon, when he was Viceroy, was a strong advocate of the partition of Bengal, on the that it was far too large a province to be administered by one LieutenantGovernor.' It bad a population of some eighty millions, and the Lieutenant-Governor was expected to know every district in the province, its resources, its needs, and its aspirations. He had to cultivate the friedship of the leading members of the Hindu and Mohammedan communities, on whom he relied for advice and support. His duties could not be performed by deputies, and several incumbents of the office injured their health by their devo-

lion to duty. In October, 1905, Lord Curzon effected the partition of the province, but the step gave rise to much native agitation and discontent. Fifteen of the Eastern districts, adjacent to Assam, were united with the latter to form a new province, called Eastern Bengal and Assam, and tins disruption of the old province was resented very passionately by a large part of the Bengalese. They believed its object was, first, to destroy fhe collective power of the Bengali people: secondly, to overthrow the political ascendancy of (I’alcutta: and, thirdly, to foster in East Bengal the growth of a Mohammedan power with a view of keeping in check the rapidly growing strength of the educated Hindu community. From an administrative point of view no doubt Lord Clinton's policy was right, and the results have apparently justified him. Yet it gave a start to the Swadeshi, or national movement of hostility to all things English, and it is significant that the Anarchist: conspiracy in 1008 was worked chiefly from Eastern Bengal. It will he interesting to learn, as we shall do no doubt when the Imperial Parliament meets after the Christmas adjournment, the motives winch have led to this change of policy, which was probably advised by Lord Hardinge, the Viceroy, and Lord Morley, Secretary of State for India.